ISLAMABAD: The authorities concerned are on their toes to complete the most important project of Re-charge Pakistan for which the Green Climate Fund (GCF) approved $77.8 million on July 13, 2023, in Incheon, South Korea which consists of three phases with each phase spanning over ten years, senior officials of the Planning Commission and Ministry of Water Resources told The News.
“This long-term project envisions that by 2050, ecosystem-based adaptation contributes towards better climate resilience, water and food security and sustainable livelihood. More than 10 million people, which make around 5% of Pakistan’s population, will directly benefit from the project, while 20 million people across 50 vulnerable districts of Pakistan will be the indirect beneficiaries.”
The project after its materialization will result in reduction in flood risk and enhancement of water recharge in the Indus Basin, building resilience of approximately 10 million inhabitants of low-lying areas and vulnerable ecosystems.
“By 2030, there will be enhanced capacity to divert and store nearly 5 MAF of floodwater across Pakistan, reducing flood risks, improving climate adaptation and providing livelihood benefits for around 10 million vulnerable people.”
The project will be implemented at selected sites, spanning over a stretch of 1,300 km of the Indus River, across KP, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. The sites will be selected based on (i) flood risks, (ii) climate projections, (iii) water storage, (iv) recharge potential, and (v) needs of the communities.
It will contribute to relevant policies and plans (National Climate Change Policy, National Water Policy, NFPP-IV and SDGs) and will lead to additional water reservoir capacity on the river system to regulate water discharge during high floods and will promote local rainwater harvesting and development of small storages on runoff the rivers during peak flows.
The Recharge Pakistan will be implemented at 11 sites that include Esa Khel Watershed, D. I. Khan Watershed, Darya Khan-Ramak Floodplain, Lala Creek, Kaha Watershed, Chakar Lehri Watershed, Manchhar & Hamal Wetlands Complex, Nara, Deh Akro & Chotiari Wetlands Complex, Hadero & Haleji Wetlands Complex, Taunsa Pond Area and Indus Dolphin Reserve.
Top officials of both the ministries highlighted how Recharge Pakistan Project is of paramount importance given the 2010 Super Floods and Ramsar Advisory Mission (RAM) visited Pakistan in the year 2012 to advise the Government of Pakistan on economically viable, socially acceptable and ecologically sound strategy to manage floodplains and to minimize the damages that may occur due to devastating floods in future.
The relevant officials said that there are three main components of the project which include; i) Ecosystem-based Adaptation for integrated Flood Risk Management; ii) Enhancing Resilience of vulnerable Communities to climate change; & iii) Enabling a paradigm shift Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Pakistan.
The project was principally approved by the GCF Climate Investment Committee in July 2020.
“A detailed feasibility study/assessment of the central Indus Wetlands (downstream Tarbela Dam to downstream Sukkur Barrage) is underway. The purpose is to identify potential sites for floodplain and hill torrent management to store extra flood water, revive the adjoining wetlands, recharge ground aquifers and provide social and economic benefits to the local communities.
The government has so far taken many actions to materialize the project which include; i) concept note approved by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in July 2020; ii) Project Preparation Grant approved in December 2020 for a period of one year; iii) A consortium led by “Watersprint Ltd (WaterSprint Ltd +Deltares+Pegasys + Shuurmans) was recruited for conducting pre-feasibility and detailed feasibility studies; iv) Conducted visits for pre-feasibility of selected 11 sites, sediment analysis of Hill Torrents and consultations with local communities for identification of Nature-based Solutions were made. And the FFC (Federal Flood Commission) has technically evaluated the draft Funding Proposal for Recharge Pakistan Project.